Timing Segments for TV Series

Jeff Cooper wrote on 8/6/2009, 3:28 PM

Hello,

I'm putting together a pilot for a possible television series but I don't know what lengths to make the segments between commercials - i.e. how many minutes and seconds / split seconds between commercials.

I'm assuming that there are standards for this, but have had no luck finding this information on the web.

Thanks!! Jeff

Comments

rs170a wrote on 8/6/2009, 4:16 PM

IMO, the more important thing to know is the total program length the station will allow and it's my guess that this may be different from network to network.
For example, you'll probably be allowed more program time on PBS than you would on ABC, CBS, Discovery, etc.
You need to contact each network that you're considering submitting it to and ask them what their requirements are.

Mike

richard-courtney wrote on 8/6/2009, 5:44 PM

Ditto on Mike's response.

Here is PBS's producer link.

Fredv wrote on 8/6/2009, 5:56 PM

I have to agree with what the other guys said. But here is the rule of thumb at our shop. If it's an hour show, plan for 12-10 minutes if it's a non sponsored show looking for general ad placement or 10-7 minutes if it's a sponsored show where the sponsor is likely to have a minimum four 60-second spots plus opens, closes, etc.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/6/2009, 6:47 PM

wow.... that's not much commercial time. When I ran the board commercials were ~1/4 of the time the show was: 15 min/hour, 7.5min/30 minutes. That's counting the stuff included with the show & the local spots. I noticed the same pattern from the network & syndicated shows.

So, basically, if you need 15/hour & you are having an "hour" show, it needs to be 45 minutes. Pretty much on the button, stations don't like having to fill in seconds here & there, throws off everything for the day!

I've seen shows where they even give just a total running time & you must figure out how the commercials work out. Would change EVERY DAY. fun. :) Got real good in doing time math. :D

Butch Moore wrote on 8/6/2009, 6:51 PM

Why not record a few shows on your target networks/stations, then do a little analysis.

Often, TV scripts are produced in "acts" and it's up to the talent of the writer to express the story in a given time frame. The same can be true with documentaries.

There's a delicate balance between enough commercial time and too much. The networks have figured this out. I'd merely mirror the format of similar programs at the pilot stage of the game.